Justice/Faith in Action

Muslim-Christian Interfaith Dialogue

On December 1, 16 Muslim and Christian men and women began an inter-faith journey together.

Southminster and Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs, a mosque in Rolling Meadows, has begun a dialogue between faiths that will provide an opportunity for Christians and Muslims to develop genuine friendships and better understand each other and our different faiths.

Beginning in January 2018, this inter-faith group will meet every second Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m. at Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs in Rolling Meadows and every fourth Friday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Southminster.

“This is what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

Our mission: to increase awareness of justice issues impacting our brothers and sisters in our local community, Chicago and the state; and to provide opportunities for Southminster members and friends to participate in actions that influence public policy toward a more just world.

Highlights of 2017: Southminster members were instrumental in winning approval by the Arlington Heights Village Board for the village’s first supportive housing project for disabled people. For this work, we received an award from the Community Renewal Society (CRS) at its annual membership meeting in early October. We were also recognized with a leadership award for our work on police accountability initiatives in Chicago.

Southminster’s justice work includes:

Participating in CRS’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Faith in Action Assembly in January

Lobbying legislators at the CRS Day of Faith in Springfield in April

Working with local churches, as well as churches in the North/Northwest suburban area to bring awareness of justice issues to the community

Initiating an interfaith journey with our Muslim neighbors from the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs, a mosque in Rolling Meadows; the group meets biweekly to develop genuine friendships and better understand each other and our different faith

Hosting adult education series on racism and Islam

Supporting the CRS 2018 Platform for Renewal, including police accountability; restoring opportunities for people with criminal records and advancing justice reforms; community development (housing and jobs) on Chicago’s south and west sides; state budget issues, including fiscal responsibility and investment for violence prevention; and a commitment to anti-racism

Advocating for just immigration policies in Illinois

Meeting with Illinois State Representatives Tom Morrison, David Harris and Elaine Nekritz, and Illinois State Senator Tom Rooney to secure support on CRS justice issues

Hosting the “Open Hearts – Open Doors” event, a discussion about the LGBTQ community and the church, on Feb. 11, 2018. Click here to view a video of the event.

Attending “Bridging the Black & White Divide” racism events hosted by Sisters of the Living World in Arlington Heights

If you have a passion for justice, we invite you to join our Justice Ministry Team. For more information, contact Linda Waycie, lwaycie@wowway.com, or Cindy Greenwood, cngrnwood@gmail.com

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.” – Isaiah 10:1-2